Melissa Etheridge is one of rock music’s most iconic female musicians, known for her raspy voice and her commitment to traditional rock and roll. Her critically acclaimed eponymous debut album, released in 1988, was certified double platinum. Her popularity grew with such memorable songs as “Bring Me Some Water,” “No Souvenirs,” and “Ain’t It Heavy,” for which she won her first Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal.
Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, “Yes I Am,” featuring the massive hits “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” a searing song of longing that brought her a second Grammy. The album spent more than two and a half years on the album chart and was six times platinum.
Etheridge is also an Oscar winner for Best Original Song in 2007. In 2011, she made her Broadway debut as St. Jimmy in Green Day’s rock opera, “American Idiot,” where she replaced Billie Joe Armstrong for one week and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Etheridge has continued to record music and has recently completed recording at Royal Studios in Memphis on what will be her first album since 2014’s critically lauded “This Is M.E.”
In addition to her music career, Etheridge is also an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ community and equality. Just prior to the release of “Yes I Am,” Etheridge came out publicly as a lesbian, becoming one of the first prominent rockers to do so. This raised her public profile, bringing “Yes I Am” to a wider audience and turning the album into a multi-platinum blockbuster, spinning off the hits “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window.”
Etheridge is known for her activism and has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights and equality throughout her career. On June 20, 2016, Etheridge released a song called “Pulse,” in reaction to the mass shootings that took place in Orlando on June 12, 2016. All proceeds from the sale of “Pulse” benefit Equality Florida, the state’s largest LGBT civil rights organization.
In addition to her musical and advocacy work, Etheridge is also a breast cancer survivor and has been open about her experiences with the disease, using her platform to raise awareness and advocate for early detection and prevention.
Melissa Etheridge has had an impressive career as a musician, but her legacy extends far beyond her music. She is a voice for the LGBTQ community, an advocate of equality, and a survivor. Her impact on the music industry and her contributions to society will continue to be felt for years to come.